Education policy · August 24, 2026
Learning Restoration: The Epidemic of Learning Loss in the U.S.
Written by Shirley Adubofour, M.A.

School is back in session. The first few weeks involve a lot of adjustment for many schools. One of the key discussions, in particular, is how schools can return to pre-COVID achievement levels.
This article explores the learning loss crisis in the U.S. and asks two critical questions:
Have we begun to lower the bar because of COVID-19 learning loss?
Is it time for American schools to shift their focus from learning recovery toward learning restoration?